Do colleges look at weighted or unweighted GPA?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I'm trying to get a better understanding of how colleges evaluate GPA. My school calculates both a weighted and unweighted GPA, and I'm not sure which one colleges will look at. Will they consider the rigor of my courses, or just the raw GPA numbers? Thanks for any insights you can provide!

Hello! It's great that you're being proactive about understanding how colleges evaluate GPA. Generally, colleges look at both weighted and unweighted GPAs, paying attention to the rigor of your courses. They understand that different high schools have different grading systems, so they usually recalculate your GPA based on their own system during the evaluation process. The rigor of your courses also matters, as colleges want to see that you've challenged yourself academically. Taking advanced courses like AP, IB, or honors classes can positively impact your application. Keep in mind that GPA is just one aspect of your application, and colleges also consider factors like extracurricular activities, essays, and standardized test scores. It's important to maintain a strong academic performance, but don't forget to focus on other aspects of your application too. Good luck with your college journey!